Thanksgiving

I had a great long weekend with my 3 favorite kids!!! We watched Christmas movies (Christmas with the Kranks, Elf, Christmas Buddies, Christmas Vacation), cartoons, and football. Jonathan played video games and his guitar and lots of indoor basketball (got a new hoop). He managed to knock down just about every last nick-nack in the living room... We also went to cut down our tree, did some shopping, went to Jayden's hockey game and the "Kids'- Children Museum" as she calls it- where we saw Santa. We went out to eat at Red Robin, browsed the mall, and decorated the house for Christmas. Jake is the master decorator and LOVES all the traditions of Christmas. We were NOT allowed to get into any of the Christmas boxes until AFTER we had the tree up.. AND when it got dark out. Oh brother! He helped me get my classroom together too, and told me about 100 times at random moments "I love you mom." So of course, he can do no wrong!!! Jake and Jayden made Gingerbread houses (Jonathan didn't want to this year), and we also went to church together. So we got a lot done and had a great weekend. I am so thankful for my kids and my family and my friends and my job (and facebook too!). More than ever I try to enjoy EVERY minute of my life... and especially try to soak up every second I have with my kids.

Oh and on Thanksgiving day, the little 2 and I went to Locals for coffee and to QFC for last minute groceries, and then I cooked and Jonathan made his famous bean-dip. We watched UT beat A&M (though it was a nail-biter!) an went to school to play basketball and try out Jake's rocket.

Disney on Ice

Jayden and I had a special "date" on Thursday night. We went to "Red Robin- YUM" for dinner (Jayden's choice because she likes their corn dogs) and then to Everett for Disney on Ice. It POURED on our way from the car to the show, so me and my little princess were soaked by the time we got in. We walked around to find the perfect over-priced toy and ended up with a stuffed Flounder from the Little Mermaid. We also got cotton candy and a Mickey Mouse cup snow-cone.

We had good seats- row 5 on the first level. We are not used to first level seats, so this was a real treat! It was opening night, so tickets were buy one, get one free. There were 4 mini "shows"- Cars, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Tinkerbell. Mickey, Mini, and all the gang made appearances too. Jayden's favorite part was at the very end when thousands of pieces of confetti sprayed into the audience. Her eyes were filled with wonder as she tried to catch it. It was precious!

I realized as we sat there that Jayden really doesn't watch many Disney movies- mostly because she has 2 older brothers who won't put up with that nonsense! She watches stuff like SpongeBob and I-Carly... But she still seemed to really enjoy the show. My favorite part was The Little Mermaid part, as this has always been one of my favorite Disney movies.

After the show we stopped at Starbucks for some coffee/ hot chocolate. It was about 10pm, so naturally people were surprised to see a 4 year old dressed in a pink princess costume walk through the door. An older man who was ordering his coffee turned and looked at her- kind of taken a-back- and said, "Oh MY!!! What a beautiful little princess!" At about that same time she noticed a bin full of stuffed bears close-by and was admiring them. The man asked the clerk how much they cost (I think it was 7.99) and then he asked me if he could buy my little girl the bear. I was stunned. It has been a year that has made me really stop and wonder if there really are any good, kind people left in this world (aside from my family and close friends), and for some reason, this random act of kindness just really touched me. It was almost like he was an angel. I know that sounds weird, but that's how I feel about it. Jayden was excited about her bear and held it the whole way home, but I know it meant more to me than to her... So THANK YOU to the kind man for making my day with his generosity!

When we got home, Jayden made me put on my crown, which she had fully intended for me to wear during the show (but I "forgot"). I love doing stuff with my kids and seeing them so happy!

Fall 2009

Well it's been forever since I've blogged, so here are a bunch of pix from this fall. For Halloween, Jonathan was a Woopie Cushion (a $30 one- holy cow!), Jake was Obi-Won from Star-Wars, and Jayden was a kitty. I found a super cheap "sexy kitty" costume that looked a lot like Jayden's. But let me just tell ya, it was NOT so sexy... I had to wear a long black shirt under it because it was so short and well... it was not a pretty sight. But Jayden loved it and so I wore it for awhile. Funny how all the adult costumes for ladies were all scanky. I was a witch at school. And the witch pix of Jayden are for you Paula. Jonathan went to a party at Luke's for Halloween. Jake, Jayden, and I went up to a local neighborhood and got lots of candy in only 2 blocks. Jake got 81 pieces and wished he had 100. Jayden got 76. I loved having Halloween on a Sat. and think it should be that way every year. The weather was fairly warm (the warmest I remember) with no wind (Fri. night had been super- lights out windy)- and there was a full moon that kept it a bit lighter.